Cowboys Spotlight: Decorated Giants QB Manning tends to run hot, cold

Height: 6-4 Weight: 218

Season: 12th College: Mississippi

Strengths: The San Diego Chargers made Manning the No. 1 overall pick in 2004, and that day they traded him to the New York Giants. He has everything a team looks for in a franchise quarterback. His two Super Bowl titles are one more than his more heralded older brother, Peyton. Eli won the Super Bowl MVP awards for XLII and XLVI. Eli has been up and down this season. The good Eli has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 932 yards with eight touchdowns, two interceptions and one sack in the team’s three victories. The bad Eli has completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 674 yards with three touchdowns, two interceptions and six sacks in its three losses.

Weaknesses: Manning will hold the ball too long at times. He also can be a turnover machine, taking too many chances with the football. He has 228 turnovers in his career, including 189 interceptions. That includes five turnovers in six games this year. He reduced his turnovers to 18 last season after having 29 in 2013. He has had as many as 38 turnovers in a season.

Last game: He completed 24 of 38 passes for 189 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the 27-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. He also took three sacks.

Who has to stop him? The Cowboys have allowed only one 300-yard passer this season, and that was Drew Brees in Week 4. But they have only two interceptions and only three total takeaways. Their cornerbacks still are seeking their first pick of the season. Starting cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr have combined for 43 tackles and five passes defensed, while allowing 30 receptions for 396 yards and a touchdown, according to STATS, Inc. Corey White has taken over for Tyler Patmon as the nickel back and has allowed three receptions for 25 yards and no touchdowns.

Notable: Manning has started 173 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL. … He is the Giants’ career passing leader in attempts (5,844), completions (3,463), yards (41,361) and touchdowns (270). … Manning is the fourth highest-paid quarterback with an average salary of $21 million. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers leads the way at $22 million per season, followed by Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger.

Charean Williams

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Cowboys Spotlight: Decorated Giants QB Manning tends to run hot, cold."